If you’re experiencing the frustrating issue of your car radio constantly switching from aux to radio, you’re not alone. However, you might be worried sick about why this problem came into existence in the first place.
So, why does your car radio keeps switching from Aux to Radio?
This common problem can be caused by a variety of factors, from faulty cables to electrical interference. In addition to that, another reason can be wrong or damaged Bluetooth receivers on your system.
Whatever the cause may be, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. Before that, you’ll need to know the possible causes of your car radio switching from aux to radio.
Let’s not waste any more time and get onto it!
Why Does My AUX Keep Switching to Radio?
Among the most common causes for switching aux to radio are damaged cables, faulty audio jack, interference, and so on. While these problems are not that hard to diagnose, you won’t know how to fix them if you don’t know the details.
So, let’s get some in-depth knowledge about how these reasons affect your AUX to radio connection.
Loose or Damaged Auxiliary Cable:
Obviously enough, a damaged cable is sure to malfunction. And if it’s your AUX cable, then you can expect it to change channels or input irregularly. The most common cause of car radio switches is definitely having a faulty or damaged auxiliary cable.
However, the problem can also arise from AUX port receptacle obstructions. It can either be a loose connection or the port is not transmitting the data properly. So, be careful about your car radio cables as they can be quite bothersome.
Malfunctioning Audio Jack:
Similar to the cable issue, another common reason for this problem to occur is the malfunction of your audio jack. If you regularly use audio input and output for music playback, then you can face this issue.
Whenever you use any external device for your audio output, the jack can get affected. It can get damaged, malfunctioned, or broken. That’s why it’s easy for you to forget about the audio jack while it can be a big pain in the bum!
Electrical Interference:
Do you carry a lot of electrical equipment such as a phone, iPod, and dashcam in your car? Well, chances are that those are responsible for your sudden Aux to radio switch.
Now, you might be thinking how can this be? Simply put, when there are too many electrical devices, the interference level increases. As a result, your car Radio gets irregular signals and consequently, your Aux channel switches to the radio!
Automatic Station Switching Feature:
Some car audio systems have a feature that automatically scans for available stations and switches to the strongest signal. Even when you’re on other channels or using your Aux connection, it can detect other signals and switch to that.
So, if this feature is enabled, it may cause the radio to switch channels and disrupt your transmission signals.
Incompatibility with the Audio Device:
While this problem is not that prevalent, still people can encounter switching issues because of this. When you use incompatible devices with your car radio, it can malfunction.
In some cases, people have reported that they encountered this issue with their iPods and phones. So, you can also face a similar aux-to-radio switching issue because of incompatible devices.
Faulty Bluetooth Receiver:
Do you use your Bluetooth connection to pair up your iPod and phones with your car audio system? In that case, you might need to reconsider your Bluetooth receiver stability.
Why do you need to check that? If you have a faulty Bluetooth receiver then it can affect the other input connections. Whether you’re using your iPod or Android, does not matter. You will witness abnormal connection switching on your car radio.
How to Troubleshoot the Problems Regarding Aux Switching to Radio?
You can change the aux cables, remove the radio signal interference, and more to start the troubleshooting process. Head down to the detailed discussion below to learn more about troubleshooting.
Check and Replace Faulty Cables:
Whether it’s your coax cable or aux cable, you know how important those are for your radio system. Especially if you want to get a proper input connection and good transmission. Because without good cables, it’s not possible to get far away cb radio transmission.
So, check your cables thoroughly and if any damages are found, change the cables. Usually, the AUX cables are quite affordable to replace. If you don’t want to replace it yourself, you can consult a car professional.
Move other Devices away from the Radio:
If you have multiple electronic devices in close proximity to your car radio, those can cause significant interference. As you know, most electronic devices can transmit different radio and transmission waves.
Because of that, it’s easy for your car to switch your AUX station to the radio. To prevent that from happening, you can avoid carrying too much electronics in front of your car.
That way, you can expect less radio interference and a more stable connection to avoid any unwanted situations.
Check the Docking Connector:
If you use Apple devices (iPod, iPhone) with your car, you may need to check your docking connector. While having no illumination wire on the car radio does not affect radio switching, having a docking connector does.
When the device is connected to your car, check carefully if the connector is transferring audio or just charging. If it’s in charging mode, then your radio won’t be affected.
However, if your docking connector is dusty or damaged, then it affects your connection. So, your radio can continuously switch from AUX to the radio.
Replace Weak or Damaged Antenna:
While this troubleshooting may seem very vague, it can actually yield some unexpected results. The antenna is what receives and sends the whole signal from your car radio to other devices and vice versa.
Now, when you have damaged your car radio antenna, it’ll surely affect your experience with the AUX input-output as well. Because both of these connections are very closely connected. So, replace your damaged antenna if you can.
Plus, it’s quite affordable to change car antennas which won’t strain your pocket too much!
Bluetooth Receiver Replacement:
If your Bluetooth receiver seems odd or out of place, then it’s always best to replace the product to get better signals. Now, be absolutely sure that it’s your Bluetooth receiver that is busted, not something else.
Because you obviously don’t want to spend unnecessary dollars that won’t even fix your issue. So, if possible, consult an expert and then make an informed decision.
Why Does My Car Radio Keep Changing Stations?
If your car radio keeps changing stations on its own, one possible cause could be a faulty or damaged antenna. A faulty antenna can cause the radio to constantly search for a stronger signal.
Similarly, the TRAF button on your car radio can also cause this problem. If you have this feature then you might have to turn the feature off.
Another possible reason could be electrical interference from other devices in your car, such as your phone or GPS. Additionally, some cars are equipped with a feature that automatically switches the radio station based on your location, which can also cause the radio to change channels unexpectedly.
To fix this issue, you may need to replace the antenna, move other devices away from the radio, or disable the automatic station-switching feature in your car’s settings.
There you go. You are now more than ready to fix your car radio just by yourself. However, be completely sure about doing everything on your own. Otherwise, it’s best to consult a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Why does my radio keep switching from AM to FM?
Your radio may be switching from AM to FM because it’s set to “scan” for stations, or it’s experiencing interference from other electronic devices or sources. Another possibility is that there’s a problem with the radio’s circuitry or internal components.
Can a faulty battery cause my car radio to switch from aux to radio?
It’s possible for a weak or failing battery to cause electrical issues in the car’s systems. If you suspect this is the case, you may need to have your battery tested and replaced if necessary. However, there could be other reasons why your car radio is switching from aux to radio, so it’s important to investigate all possible causes.
Is it safe to continue driving if my car radio keeps switching from AUX to radio?
Although it’s not a safety hazard, it can be distracting and frustrating to constantly have your music interrupted. It’s recommended to address the issue as soon as possible to prevent it from worsening or causing further damage to your car’s audio system.
Conclusion
Finally, now you know all about why your car radio keeps switching from AUX to radio. If you follow the troubleshooting properly, you’ll likely fix your car radio system.
However, if you want to be future-proof, then properly maintain your car audio system. Because any electrical equipment is bound to get broken. So, it’s better to take good care of them!
